Legendary fictions of the Irish Celts

Legends of the " Good People.^'' 1 29
" And could we do anything for your
winter night !
"
comfort, my poor fellow % " says the boy. " Musha, I don't
know," says the pooka; "but I think a good quilted
frieze coat would help to keep the life in me, them long
nights." " Why then, in throth, we'd be the ungratefulest
of people if we didn't feel for you."
To make a long story short, the next night but two the
boy was there again ; and if he didn't delight the poor
pooka, holding up a fine warm coat before him, it's no
matter ! Betune the pooka and the man, his legs were
got into the four arms of it, and it was buttoned down
his breast and his belly, and he was so pleased, he walked
up to the glass to see how he looked. " Well," says he,
" it's a long lane that has no turning. I am much obliged
to yourself and your fellow-servants. Yous have made
me happy at last : good-night to you."
So he was walking out, but the other cried, " Och
sure you're going too soon : what about the washing and
sweeping % " " Ah, you may tell the girls that they must
now get their turn. My punishment was to last till I
was thought worthy of a reward for the way I done my
duty. You'll see me no more." And no more they did,
and right sorry they were for being in such a hurry to
reward the ungrateful pooka.
Our notice of the Cluricawn, Leprechaun, or Luri-
keen, shall be brief, as he is one of the best known of
all the fairy tribe. Keightley and Croker have given us a
surfeit of the deceitful old rogue. With some trouble, a
relationship might be established between himself and
the industrious little mine-workers of the North, but the
return would not be equal to the outlay.
!